Kelechi Iheanacho delivered when it mattered most as Celtic powered into the Scottish Cup final with a dramatic 6-2 victory over St Mirren after extra time.
The Nigerian forward came off the bench late in the semi-final clash with the score tied at 2-2, but quickly turned the game on its head with a decisive brace that sealed Celtic’s place in the final.
Celtic had looked in control early on after racing into a two-goal lead in regulation time, only for St Mirren to mount an impressive comeback and force extra time. With momentum swinging, the tie was finely poised until Iheanacho stepped up to make the difference.
The former Manchester City striker struck just minutes into extra time, rising to meet a cross and guide a header past the goalkeeper to restore Celtic’s advantage. He followed it up shortly after with a composed finish, completing his brace and effectively ending the contest.
His goals sparked a ruthless spell from Celtic, who scored four times in a matter of minutes to run away with the game and book their place in the final of the competition scheduled for May 23.
Reacting after the match, Iheanacho admitted the team had to dig deep to get the result, highlighting the collective effort required to overcome a stubborn St Mirren side.
The performance marks a significant moment for the Super Eagles striker, who has steadily found his rhythm since arriving at Celtic, with his latest contribution underlining his growing importance to the squad.
Celtic will now turn their attention to the final, where they aim to lift the Scottish Cup and cap off a strong domestic run, while Iheanacho’s timely return to form could prove crucial in their push for silverware.
